Tech Talent Takes Center Stage: New Orleans Students Unleash Their Creative Genius with iPad and Mac

Key Points:

• Apple has partnered with the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music and Arts in New Orleans to bring technology and creativity together, offering students access to iPads and other Apple devices to aid in their music and art education.
• The partnership has led to the development of new courses, including coding and audio engineering, which have been made possible by Apple’s support.
• The collaboration aims to close the digital divide by providing students with technology and introducing them to diverse, long-term career opportunities.

As a tech journalist, I’m thrilled to report on the innovative work being done by the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music and Arts in New Orleans. This esteemed institution has been a pillar of the city’s vibrant cultural scene, and its partnership with Apple is a testament to the potential for technology to enhance and bring together the worlds of music, art, and education.

The center’s executive director, Lisa Dabney, emphasizes that the partnership is about "closing the digital divide by giving students access to technology and introducing them to different types of diverse, long-term career opportunities." This is a remarkable endeavor, given the majority of homes in the Ninth Ward, where the center is located, lack access to iPads and computers.

The students at the center are seizing this opportunity, with some already developing a passion for coding and audio engineering. For instance, high school senior Jacob Jones Jr. explained how learning to code and use Logic Pro has expanded his understanding of music and enhanced his creative expression. "GarageBand is really essential to me, because I’ll hear something and be like, ‘Wow, I just got to get it out. I’ll go on my iPhone, open GarageBand, and be able to play out that melody, record it, and even make a whole song out of it.’"

This is just one example of how Apple’s support has empowered students to explore new creative avenues, often with surprising results. In the words of Apple’s Vice President of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, Lisa Jackson, "We love to see technology and creativity supporting one another, and it’s such a joy to see that in action here in my hometown of New Orleans."

As Apple continues its commitment to uplift and amplify youth creativity in New Orleans, we can expect to see more innovative partnerships and projects emerge. For those interested in getting involved, I recommend keeping an eye out for upcoming initiatives and courses that may be of interest. Who knows? You might just find yourself joining a vibrant community of creators, change-makers, and innovators in the heart of New Orleans.

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